This is the island’s main administrative centre. All government offices. Banks, as well as the main ferry pier are located in Nathon, making it the most important place for communication with the Thai mainland. Nathon also boasts a number of original teak shop-houses, lining he quite middle roads, showing the more traditional, Chinese influenced Samui life. Any major local events. Ceremonies of celebrations are held in the car park in front of the main pier in Nathon. Visitors tend to pass through this beautiful village on their way to either Chaweng or Lamai, missing some of the least expensive shopping on the island. A nightly food market establishes itself here regularly, giving visitors their first taste of the delights available on Samui.
Choeng Mon is made up of a series of bays, speckled with white sandy beaches upon its coastline. Despite its close proximity to Chaweng, about 15 minutes north and 5 minutes from Big Buddha, the beaches have remained quiet and the waters clean. Choeng Mon’s wide sandy beaches feature a rock formation on one side, and the island of Koh Samui that you can easily paddle out to on the other. This is a very family friendly area, with exclusive resorts abundantly situated along the water edge. Relatively upmarket. Inexpensive accommodation is virtually non-existent in this area. This lesser-known beach is located in a very secluded part of Koh Samui, on the northeast corner of the island where most of the bays have been given over to private residential developments.
Chaweng is the longest and most popular beach on Samui. It is also the largest tourist centre with more than 1.5 million travelers visiting annually. 5 Star luxury resorts share the space with more economical accommodation choices, along with a 5 kilometer street of stalls and shops that sell everything Thailand is famous for. Prices are a little higher here than in other areas of the island, but the range of choices in food, accommodation and entertainment is impressive, making this b each and its surroundings, the center of activity for many visitors.
Lamai has often been referred to as Samui’s second beach, but there are many who believe it has a greater beauty than that of Chaweng. The waters are excellent for swimming and the beaches and streets are less crowded. The southern end of the bay features elegant granite boulders. While the beach itself seems endless. The nightlife in Lamai hosts some excellent restaurants and bars scattered along its strip. The surrounding area notably hosts some of the islands best spas and health resorts available. If you wander off the beaten track here, you might get a glimpse of some true Thai culture.
If your stay is brief, Big Buddha Beach area offers convenience due to its close proximity to the airport, as well as to boats chartered for Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Prices for accommodation and provisions remain reasonable, and there are a growing number of fine dining options to compliment the local Thai restaurants and beach bungalow cuisine. Facilities and services are abundant along the main road, making this one of the best locations for a vibrant night-life. The Big Buddha itself can be seen overlooking the entire area and remains to be the focal attraction.